Blog Changes for 2010

Overall, 2009 was a good year.  Misha and I found out that we were going to be having a little boy.  I got my first promotion at Caterpillar from Associate Engineer to Senior Associate Engineer (basically just a title change).  Misha and I became members of Sovereign Grace Church in Aurora, IL.  And I started blogging at a steady pace.  So what's on the dock for 2010?

Well, first of all, as you all know, Misha and I will be having a little boy come early February 2010, Lord willing.  For any of you who are parents, you know what that means... big changes to me and my wife's life.  One of the biggest changes will come in the area of time management.  We just won't have as much time as we used to have to do the things we are to doing.  That includes blogging.

If you have noticed, I have tried to blog daily.  Needless to say, that is going to change.  My goal for 2010 is to blog once every 2 or 3 days.  I haven't decided which yet, but I will do my best to keep it consistent.  However, as it relates to this blog, my son takes precedence.

In addition, I'll also be changing what I post about.  This past year, most of my posts have been good, Christ-exalting resources that I wanted to pass along to others.  One of the recommendations that came from you was to post more thoughts of my own.  So I will.  It will be more of a mix this next year.

I've really enjoyed blogging this year.  I'm looking forward to 2010, and I hope I can continue to serve you through it.

CJ Mahaney... Now & Then

It's not too often that after 26 years, God allows you to look better than you once did.  I think it's unanimous that's what has happened to CJ Mahaney.  Just look at that hair!

(Left to Right: Gary Ricucci, Gary's dad, CJ Mahaney and Robin Boisvert)

Thanks to: Josh Harris

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

At the end of each chapter of Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem, he posts a hymn that goes along with the theme of the chapter.  The hymn at the end of the chapter on God's Providence is entitled, "God Moves in a Mysterious Way" by William Cowper (1774).  It was a fresh reminder that though I don't understand why everything happens the way that it does, I can know that "behind a frowning providence, he hides a smiling face."

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sov’reign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow’r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

Romans 8:28: "We know that in everything, God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose."

Planned Parenthood Undercover Footage

This is apalling...  For more information, check out the Rosa Acuna Project's website.



Thanks to: Zach Nielsen

Spontaneous Worship: This Is Sweet

Thanks to: The Resurgence

Calvin on Christ and Man

Having become with us the Son of Man, he has made us with himself sons of God.
By his own descent to the earth he has prepared our ascent to heaven.
Having received our mortality, he has bestowed on us his immortality.
Having undertaken our weakness, he has made us strong in his strength.
Having submitted to our poverty, he has transferred to us his riches.
Having taken upon himself the burden of unrighteousness with which we were oppressed, he has clothed us with his righteousness.

       - John Calvin

Thanks to: Zach Nielsen

Behold the Lamb of God

In lieu of my post yesterday, I thought it would be appropriate to let you know about an album that has been so helpful to Misha and I this Christmas season.  Not only do we enjoy the music, but it takes the focus off of the commercialized Christmas holiday and places it back on the why we even celebrate Christmas in the first place.

The CD album is entitled, Behold the Lamb of God by Andrew Peterson.  This has become our favorite Christmas CD by far this holiday.  Here's why.  The entire CD tells the story of Christ coming to earth, from creation to the incarnation. Andrew Peterson (as well as Misha and I) believe that the entire bible, Old Testament and the New Testament, are telling one overarching story.  This is his attempt to retell it in the form of song.  Here's what Mr. Peterson has to say for himself about the album.

"What makes this bunch of songs unique is that I wanted to remind (or teach) the audience that the story of Christmas doesn’t begin with the birth of Jesus. Many people tend to forget or have never even learned that the entire Bible is about Jesus, not just the New Testament.

So the musical begins with Moses and the symbolic story of the Passover (Passover Us) and works its way through the kings and the prophets with their many prophecies about the coming Messiah (So Long, Moses) to the awful four hundred years of silence before God told Mary she’d be having a baby (Deliver Us). After the song called Matthew’s Begats, which lists the genealogy of Jesus, the story picks up in more familiar territory with Mary and Joseph and the actual birth (It Came To Pass, Labor of Love). The final song is called Behold, the Lamb of God, which ties together the Passover and the beauty and scope of the story."

Here's one helpful tip when listening to the CD.  It is meant to be listened to from beginning to end, focusing on the words.  Like I said, the whole tells a story, so if you skip around, you won't quite grasp the whole story.

If you want to buy the actual CD, you can order it from his website.  However, Amazon.com has a great deal going on right now where you can get the 10th anniversary edition (mp3's only) for $7.99.  And for those of you who don't want to buy it, you can listen to the entire album online for free, lyrics and all.  At least do this.  I promise you won't regret it.

Lastly, here's a YouTube video of one of my favorite songs on the album.  It will give a taste of the entire album.



May God be more glorified this Christmas season because of this album.

An Anticipation Come to Fruition

The older I get, the more I have begun to see that the Americanized version of Christmas is no Christmas at all.  In between Santa and his reindeer, scores of presents, and large family get-togethers, the real meaning of Christmas is lost in this hyper-capitalized holiday.  We, as Christians, can easily, and functionally, take the "Christ" out of Christmas, replacing the baby in a manger with presents under a tree.  I, too often, have done just that.  So, in order to place my thoughts back on Christ this Christmas, I'd like to reflect on one thought.

"Christmas is an anticipation come to fruition."

It began in the garden of Eden.  Adam and Eve had just finished their last bite of the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  Realizing their grievous sin against God, they try to clothe their naked bodies hide from God as he walks through the garden.  Being found in their sin, God pronounces 3 curses: one for man, one for woman, and one for the serpent who signifies Satan.  The serpent's curse is the one of interest here.  God says to the serpent, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."  Herein lies the beginning of the anticipation.  When will the serpent's head be crushed?  And who will do it?  Who will defeat sin, Satan, and death?

Fast forward to the Passover.  In celebration that God had delivered Israel out of the hands of the Egyptians by passing over the firstborn of those who had sprinkled the blood of a lamb on the door posts of their houses and by killing the firstborn of those who hadn't, the Israelites would gather together every year to celebrate the Passover.  The priest would take 2 lambs.  They would pray over them the sins of Israel for the past year.  One would be slaughtered, and the other would be sent off out of the land of Israel, signifying that Israel's sins had been paid for and taken away.  Then, the priest would take the blood of the lamb into the Holiest of Holies, and he would sprinkle it over the Mercy Seat, where God's presence dwelt.  Only then, would the sins of Israel be forgiven for one more year.  But here's the catch.  This had to be done every year... every year!  And on top of that, the only person who could enter the Holy of Holies was the high priest.  Anyone who tired to enter would be struck dead.

More anticipation builds for Israel.  When will we be able to have eternal forgiveness of sins, not temporary?  Will there every be a perfect lamb, who will take our sins away forever?  Will there ever be a great high priest who is able to mediate between God and man for all time?

Fast forward to time of the kings.  Israel, in their sin, wanted a physical king, one that they could visibly see.  This was in direct denial of God's edict that He would be there king, and they would be his people.  In his mercy, God says that he will give them a king.  Little did Israel know what they were asking for.  Human kings are visible, but they are also fallible.  Israel had a long line of kings, it's best being David and it's worst being plenty.  But God had promised that Israel would have a king greater than all kings.  Where was he?  When will he come?  Eventually, the kingdom of Israel was broken, and many were scattered abroad.  So God sends prophets to testify to the people to repent of their sins, for a king is coming.

"He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.  He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.  But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."   Isaiah 53:2-6

Where is this king?

Can you feel the anticipation?  Israel is looking for their greater and better Offspring, Lamb, High Priest, King, and Messiah, and he cannot be found...  until an angel of the Lord appeared to some shepherds, keeping watch over their flock at night, saying,

"Fear not, for I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."

In this manger lies our Savior.  An anticipation come to fruition.  Merry Christmas, and behold your God who comes to forgive the sins of man!

Are you SAD?

Here is a video describing SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), what it is, and how the gospel of grace can help you through it.

Are you SAD? from Puritan Reformed on Vimeo.

Thanks to: The Gospel Coalition

Merry Christmas Book Giveaway!!

So I was browsing my bookshelves to figure out which books to take with me on Christmas vacation, and I noticed that I had some duplicates.  Therefore, being that it is Christmas, I thought that I would give them away for free!  Here are the books that you could win:

1. The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn
2. Seeing & Savoring Jesus Christ by John Piper
3. Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
   

How to Register for the Christmas Book Giveaway

1. You've gotta be a subscriber to this blog via RSS or email.  If you do not already subscribe, scroll up to the upper left-hand corner of my blog and click on either this icon to subscribe via RSS or this icon to subscribe via email.  You can also follow me on Twitter if you want to subscribe that way.
2. Shoot me an email (jeseger@gmail.com) letting me know that you are a subscriber.  Please be sure to do this even if you already subscribe.  Also, please include your name and shipping address.
3. On December 31, I will select one person (at random... I promise!) who will win all three of the books mentioned above.

~BONUS ENTRY~

Since I haven't been blogging for that long, I'm still learning a lot about it.  My main goal in having a blog is to serve my readers in any way that I can.  Therefore, if you email me (jeseger@gmail.com) one way that I could serve you better or one way that I could improve this blog or even one critique that you have of this blog, I'll enter your name into the drawing a second time.

Biblical Manhood and Womanhood in the Home: Practical Resources

I had a request earlier in the week to post some resources on men's and women's roles in marriage.  Here are some of the best I could find from 2 of my favorite ministries on the topic: Desiring God Ministries and the Council for Biblical Manhood & Womanhood (CBMW).  CBMW's resource page is excellent!  I hope this helps!

Articles

Communication between Men & Women in the Context of Christian Community by Rhonda Kelley
Family Worship by David Prince
Love & Respect in Marriage by Ken Sande
Male Leadership by Dennis & Barbara Rainey
My Credo as a Christian Woman by Rebecca Jones
Off with the Skirt, On with the Pants by RC Sproul Jr
The Mature Man by Thomas Bjerkholt
We Need Some Leaders! by Bob Lepine
What Should Be the Husband's Role in Marriage by Dennis Rainey

Free Online Books

50 Crucial Questions About Manhood & Womanhood by John Piper & Wayne Grudem
Recovering Biblical Manhood & Womanhood by John Piper & Wayne Grudem
Biblical Foundations for Manhood & Womanhood edited by Wayne Grudem
This Momentary Marriage by John Piper
Water of the Word by Andrew Case
Biblical Womanhood in the Home edited by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Building Strong Families edited by Dennis Rainey

Books

What He Must Be by Voddie Baucham Jr
Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham Jr
Reforming Marriage by Douglas Wilson

Sermons

27 Sermons on Biblical Manhood & Womanhood from CBMW

Miscellaneous

Council of Biblical Manhood & Womanhood Resource Page 
FAQ about Manhood & Womanhood from CBMW

Book Review: Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

Aside from the Bible, there has been no other book more often printed than John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progess.  It is the epitome of Christian classics and a must read for all.  I recently finished The Pilgrim's Progress for the first time this past year, and let's just say, I'll be reading it again soon.  So why all the hype?  Here's the rundown of this classic Christian work.

John Bunyan was born in England in 1628.  Throughout his life, he only received 2-4 years of schooling.  Therefore, we are not talking about some Havard graduate; Mr. Bunyan had a difficult life.  Sometime after his conversion, he began to preach.  It was because of his preaching that he thrown in prison.  Though he was only initially incarcerated for 3 months, his stay in prison lasted 12 years.  Why?  Bunyan continued to say, "If you release me today, I will preach tomorrow."  It was during this 12-year stay in prison that Bunyan began his allegorical tale of The Pilgrim's Progress.

The Pilgrim's Progress is an allegory that tells the story of a man named Christian from the city of Destruction who leaves his home, family, and friends to embark on a journey to the Celestial City.  The rest of the book tells of all the adventures in between and beyond.  He'll meet friends along the way such as Faithful and Hopeful.  He'll dodge deceivers and temptors such as Legalist, Obstinate, & Mistrust.  He even battles the dreaded Apollyon in a fight to the death.

But the real worth of this book lies in its application to the lives of Christian believers of all ages.  Since it is an allegory, Christian's life in Pilgrim's Progress is meant to parallel that of the life of Christian believer, including all of the temptations, victories, persecutions, and graces found throughout a believer's life.  Often times as I read through it, I found myself being encouraged, admonished, and taught through Christian's story.

Now that you know what Pilgrim's Progress is about, check this out...  Crossway has reprinted it in living color.  The 30 beautiful and colorful illustrations add so much to the book and aid in Bunyan's depiction of Christian's story.  Here are a couple of illustrations from the book as posted by Tony Reinke.

Illustration copyright © 2009 by Michael Wimmer. Posted by permission of the publisher. The Pilgrim’s Progress: From This World to That Which Is to Come (Crossway 2009), p. 18.

Illustration copyright © 2009 by Michael Wimmer. Posted by permission of the publisher. The Pilgrim’s Progress: From This World to That Which Is to Come (Crossway 2009), p. 129.

If you have a choice between 3 different versions of The Pilgrim's Progress, you might just want to pick this one.  Happy reading!!

Buy it here.

The Gospel Bids Me Fly & Lends Me Wings!

Run, John, run, the law commands,
Yet finds me neither feet nor hands;
But sweeter news the gospel brings,
It bids me fly and lends me wings!

            - John Berridge (1716-1793)

Free Advent Songs from Sojourn Music

I just got done listening to two sampler songs from Sojourn Music that Justin Taylor recently recommended. One word review: Awesome! Click on the widget below to download their entire album. You can choose to either send the link to 5 friends for a free album download in return, or you can pay whatever you can afford for the album. Click here to sample two of the songs that Justin Taylor posted.

New Board Game for Christmas

After reading Tim Challies review of this game, I think I'll have to add this to my Christmas list.

I hope you know me well enough by now to know I am joking... or am I?

What Is Reformed Theology?

I'll be watching these videos soon.  RC Sproul has a 12-part series answering the question, "What is Reformed theology?"  It should be excellent.

Leadership in the Home by Tim Challies

Tim Challies just recently completed a great blog series called "Leadership in the Home."  Men, take the time to read these.  Even if you aren't married, this is the type of leadership we as me are called to by God.

1. Leadership in the Home: An Intro  
2. Leadership in the Home: A Defense 
3. A Godly Man Leads 
4. A Godly Man Protects 
5. A Godly Man Provides

On Miracles

As I am continuing to read through Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem, topics come up that really interest me and my wife, Misha.  One of the most recent has been the topic of miracles.  Given Misha's particular Christian upbringing, this was an area that she would like me to teach her what I was learning about miracles from Systematic Theology.  Therefore, as my gorgeous wife noted on her blog a couple of days ago, that's exactly what we did.  Here is the outline that I shared with her about what I have been learning about miracles from Dr. Grudem.

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Definition of Miracles

"A miracle is a less common kind of God's activity in which he arouses people's awe and wonder and bears himself to witness."

In the Bible, there are 3 different terms for miracles.

1. Sign - points to or indicates something else, especially God's activity and power
   
2. Wonder - event that causes people to be amazed
3. Miracle or Mighty Work - act displaying great power, especially divine power

What can be considered a miracle?

1. Jesus' incarnation and resurrection (this is central and most important to all of Christianity)
2. The events of the Exodus, the fall of Jericho, etc.
   
3. Jesus' activity while on earth such as healing people, cleansing lepers, and casting out demons
4. Unusual answers to prayer... However, Grudem does warn us not to water down "miracles" by saying that every answer to prayer is a miracle.  These answers to prayer can be attributed to the good providence of God.

Were miracles restricted to the apostles and can they still happen today?

While much can be said on either side of this question, it is worth noting three things.

1. Stephen & Philip (who were not apostles) both performed miracles.  (Acts 6:8 and Acts 8:6-7)
2. The church in Galatia and Corinth had miracle workers in them (Galatians 3:5 & 1 Cor 12:10,28)
3. Many cessationists (people who believe that miracles ceased when the cannon was closed) use 1 Corinthians 13:10 to prove that miracles no longer happen.  My only plead is that if you subscribe to the cessationist camp that you read 1 Corinthians 13:10 in context.  The "perfect" is not the bible.  The "perfect" is Christ!

So yes, I, as well as Wayne Grudem, believe that miracles still happen today and will continue to happen until Christ returns.

What's the purpose of miracles?

1. To authenticate the message of the gospel (John 4:29; Acts 8:6-8; Acts 9:35,42)
2. To bear witness to the fact that the kingdom of God has come and has begun to expand its beneficial results into people's lives, for the results of Jesus' miracles show the characteristics of God's kingdom (Matthew 12:28; Luke 4:18, 9:1-2; Matthew 10:7-8)
3. To help those who are in need (Matthew 20:30,34; Matthew 14:14)
   
4. To remove hindrances to people's ministries (Matthew 8:15; Phil 2:25-30)
5. To bring glory to God... This is the ultimate purpose for miracles (Matthew 9:8, John 9:3)

What about false miracles?

1. Pharoah's magicians worked them (Exodus 7:11, 22; Exodus 8:7)
2. Simon the sorcerer performed them (Acts 8:9-11)
3. The slave girls with a spirit of divination did them (Acts 16:16-18)

It must be noted that the "power of God is greater than the power of Satan to work miraculous sign, and God's people triumph in confrontations of power with those who work evil.  Furthermore, the identity of these workers of false miracles is always known through their denial of the gospel.  There is no indication anywhere in Scripture that genuine Christians with the Holy Spirit is them will work false miracles."

One distinction must be made.  Grudem only discusses false miracles.  False miracles would be actual miracles carries our in demonic power.  However, he does not discuss, what I would call, pseudo-miracles.  Pseudo-miracles are miracles that never actually happen.  I wish he would have discussed them further.

Should Christians seek miracles today?

The answer to this question depends on the purpose for which they are sought.

• If miracles are sought for power or fame, then the answer is no.
• If miracles are sought to be entertained, then the answer is no.
• If miracles are sought by an unbeliever simply to find ground to criticize believers, then the answer is no.
• However, there is nothing wrong in seeking miracles for the proper purposes for which they are given by God.

Conclusions

"We should not assume that an obviously miraculous answer to prayer is better than one that comes through ordinary means (i.e. medical help in sickness), and we must also realize that asking God for a particular need does not guarantee the prayer will be answered.  On the other hand, our faith that God will work in powerful and even miraculous ways may be far too small."

How to Write a Country Song by Andy Gullahorn

I had the pleasure of seeing Andy Gullahorn perform while I was at the Behold the Lamb of God concert.  One of the songs he played was a humorous song about how to write a country song.  Enjoy!



Thanks to: Justin Taylor

Tim Challies Reviews A Generous Orthodoxy by Brian MacLaren

Brian MacLaren has become somewhat of a celebrity in the Emerging Church circle.  He's written provocative book after provocative book, consistently undermining the historic Christian faith.  I can't plead with you enough to NOT read his books.  Here's a thoughtful review by Tim Challies of one of MacLaren's popular books, A Generous Orthodoxy.  I've posted a few paragraphs from Challies' review below.

If you have any questions as to why I really, really, really don't want you to read his books, please email me (jeseger@gmail.com) or leave a comment on this post.

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“In short, it is awful. I consider it, in terms of content, one of the worst I have ever read and it stands as damning evidence of what passes for Christian reading in our day. Though it was easy to read, and even enjoyable at times, throughout the text Brian McLaren has consistently, deliberately and systematically dismantled historical Protestantism. From Sola Scriptura to hell to biblical inerrancy, nothing is sacred. At this point, those who are devotees of McLaren, The Emergent Church and post-modernism, will no doubt already have felt their blood boil and will be ready for a fight. I would encourage those people to keep reading. Those who are more traditional Christians will be grappling with an all-too-familiar feeling that this book represents yet another attack on the faith. And that is exactly what this book is. The remainder of this review will concern itself with showing how this book does away with biblical faith, replacing it with something far less godly and far more human. In short, something that is simply not Christianity.

It is difficult to critique the writing of people like McLaren because discerning what they actually believe is far more difficult than finding what they do not believe. Settling on those beliefs is akin to nailing Jello to the wall – it is a near impossible task as the Jello has no consistent form or shape, always changing, always conforming to what contains it. We are often left to read between the lines, interpreting what the author believes in light of what he rejects…….

He teaches false, anti-biblical doctrine throughout this book. The faith of Brian McLaren is not the faith of the Bible and only bears the most vague resemblance to Christianity.

Kevin DeYoung on the Old & New Gospel

I'm thankful that Kevin DeYoung has taken the time to differentiate between the Old and New Gospel.  The New Gospel is becoming increasingly popular in this day & age.  He begins by stating that the New Gospel generally has 4 parts.

1. It usually begins with an apology something to the effect of, "I’m sorry for my fellow Christians. I understand why you hate Christianity."
2. "Then there is an appeal to God as love."
3. "An invitation to join God on his mission in the world."
4. "There is a studied ambivalence about eternity," focusing more on the here-and-now than heaven.

After giving a rundown of the New Gospel, Pastor DeYoung answers the question, "Why is the New Gospel so popular?"  His answer is outlined below.

1. It is partially true.
2. It deals with straw men.
3. The New Gospel leads people to believe wrong things without explicitly stating those wrong things.
4. It is manageable.
5. It is inspirational.
6. It has no offense to it.

And last but not least, he gives us reasons as to why the New Gospel is wrong.

"It shouldn’t be hard to see what is missing in the new gospel.  What’s missing is the old gospel, the one preached by the Apostles, the one defined in 1 Corinthians 15, the one summarized later in The Apostles’ Creed.
“But what you call the New Gospel is not a substitute for the old gospel.  We still believe all that stuff.”

Ok, but why don’t you say it?  And not just privately to your friends or on a statement of faith somewhere, but in public?  You don’t have to be meaner, but you do have to be clearer.  You don’t have to unload the whole truck of systematic theology on someone, but to leave the impression that hell is no big deal is so un-Jesus like (Matt. 10:26-33).  And when you don’t talk about the need for faith and repentance you are very un-apostolic (Acts 2:38; 16:31).

“But we are just building bridges. We are relating to the culture first, speaking in a language they can understand, presenting the parts of the gospel that make the most sense to them. Once we have their trust and attention, then we can disciple and teach them about sin, repentance, faith and all the rest. This is only pre-evangelism.”

Yes, it’s true, we don’t have to start our conversations where we want to end up.  But does the New Gospel really prime the pump for evangelism or just mislead the non-Christian into a false assurance?  It’s one thing to open a door for further conversation.  It’s another to make Christianity so palatable that it sounds like something the non-Christian already does. And this is assuming the best about the New Gospel, that underneath there really is a desire to get the old gospel out.

Paul’s approach with non-Christians in Athens is instructive for us (Acts 17:16-34).  First, Paul is provoked that the city is so full of idols (16).  His preaching is not guided by his disappointment with other Christians, but by his anger over unbelief.  Next, he gets permission to speak (19-20). Paul did not berate people. He spoke to those who were willing to listen.  But then look at what he does.  He makes some cultural connection (22-23, 28), but from there he shows the contrast between the Athenian understanding of God and the way God really is (24-29). His message is not about a way of life, but about worshiping the true God in the right way.  After that, he urges repentance (30), warns of judgment (31), and talks about Jesus’ resurrection (31).

The result is that some mocked (32). Who in the world mocks the New Gospel? There is nothing not to like.  There is no scandal in a message about lame Christians, a loving God, changing the world, and how most of us are most likely not going to hell.  This message will never be mocked, but Paul’s Mars Hill sermon was. And keep in mind, this teaching in Athens was only an entre into the Christian message.  This was just the beginning, after which some wanted to hear him again (32).  Paul said more in his opening salvo than some Christians ever dare to say. We may not be able to say everything Paul said at Athens all at once, but we certainly must not give the impression in our “pre-evangelism” that repentance, judgment, the necessity of faith, the importance of right belief, the centrality of the cross and the resurrection, the sinfulness of sin and the fallenness of man–the stuff that some suggest will be our actual evangelism–are outdated relics of a mean-spirited, hurtful Christianity."

 It is so important to get the gospel right.  If you want to read the entirety of his post, you can read it here.

CJ Mahaney Reflects on Tiger Woods

CJ Mahaney has some good thoughts on the recent Tiger Woods incident.

Death Is Chasing You and Christ Is Everything by Paul Washer

Joy From Christ, Not Your Performance

I know I just posted a video of Paul Washer a couple of days ago, but I couldn't pass on this one either.  This short 8 minute message from Pastor Washer is desperately needed.  Too often I fall back into trying to gain joy from my own merit, when in fact, all joy comes from Christ alone.

Joy from Christ, not your performance - Paul Washer from I'll Be Honest on Vimeo.

Discipleship: It Will Cost You Everything

Here's an awesome video of Steve Lawson talking about discipleship. Often times I forget what discipleship is meant to look like. This video is a good reminder.


It Will Cost You Everything from I'll Be Honest on Vimeo.

Awesome Testimony by John MacArthur

John MacArthur - Study Video from Together for the Gospel (T4G) on Vimeo.

Michael Patton's Blog Series on Stupid "Christian" Statements

Michael Patton has had a provocative and insightful blog series entitled "...and Other Stupid Statements." This series has helped me think biblically about some of the statements that I make without even thinking.

1. Belief Is No Good Without Practice (Part 1, Part2, Part 3)
2. You Ask Me How I Know He Lives... He Lives Inside My Heart
3. I Was Going to Preach This, But the Holy Spirit Led Me to This
4. One White Lie Will Send You to Hell for All Eternity (Not sure about this one...)
   
5. The Trinity Is Like 3-In-1 Shampoo
6. The Bible Says It, Therefore It's True
7. All Sin's Are Equal in God's Sight (I'm still having a hard time with this one as well.)
   
8. When We Get to Heaven, We Will Be Timeless
9. Nothing Could Be Further From the Truth
10. In Heaven, We Will Be Bowing Down Before the Throne of God 24/7
11. Everyone Who Disagrees with Me Is a Liar
12. I Don't Want to Know About God, I Just Want to Know Him

DA Carson on Spiritual Gifts

The Gospel Coalition has now posted some of the sermons that were the basis of DA Carson's book, Showing the Spirit. If you have any questions about the gifts of the Spirit, this is one of the first books I would recommend to you. For a good overview of the book, listen to these sermons.

1. The Unity of the Body and the Diversity of Gifts (1 Cor. 12)
2. The Most Excellent Way: When Does Perfection Come? (1 Cor. 13)
3. Prophecy and Tongues: Pursuing What Is Best (1 Cor. 14:1-15)
4. Order and Authority: Restraining Spiritual Gifts (1 Cor. 14:26-40)
5. Unleashed Power and the Constraints of Discipline: Toward a Theology of Spiritual Gifts
6. Praying for Power (Eph. 3:14-21)

Or, if you want more, just read it.

We Have All Lived Longer Than We Deserve

John Piper tweeted a particularly thought-provoking statement yesterday that I think is worth mentioning here.

"At 83 or 63 or 33 or 13 we have all lived longer than we deserve. At death therefore be grieved, but not embittered."

The more I reflect on the holiness of God, the more I see the weight of my own sin. I don't deserve to live in a nice house, to eat good food, to have a loving wife, or to live until I'm 24. My sin requires death. It is only grace that I am still alive, and it is only grace that God will allow me to eventually see Him face to face.

Kevin DeYoung on How the Providence of God Can Help You Die Well

I am a wholehearted believer in the providence of God. For your reference, Wayne Grudem defines the providence of God as follows:

"God is continually involved with all created things in such a way that he (1) keeps them existing and maintaining the properties with which he created them; (2) cooperates with created things in every action, directing their distinctive properties to cause them to act as they do; and (3) directs them to fulfill his purposes."

Without God's providence, we are hardly able to trust God in any aspect of our lives. If God does not have some control over the happenings of this world, whether that be the wind, the water, floods, hurricanes, the birds of the air, the hairs on my head, or the very minute details of every day life, how can I trust that God is working all things together for my good?

Kevin DeYoung reflects on the life and death of Guido de Bres and his firm belief in the providence of God. As you read, carefully note "how the doctrine of providence can help you die well, serve courageously, and care for your wife."

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This is a portion of the letter Guido de Bres, the author of the Belgic Confession, wrote to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Black Hole of Brunain for his Protestant faith.

My dear and well-beloved wife in our Lord Jesus, Your grief and anguish are the cause of my writing you this letter. I most earnestly pray you not to be grieved beyond measure…We knew when we married that we might not have many years together, and the Lord has graciously given us seven. If the Lord had wished us to live together longer, he could easily have cause it to be so. But such was not his pleasure. Let his good will be done….Moreover, consider that I have not fallen into the hands of my enemies by chance, but by the providence of God….All these considerations have made my heart glad and peaceful, and I pray you, my dear and faithful companion, to be glad with me, and to thank the good God for what he is going, for he does nothing but what is altogether good and right…I pray you then to be comforted in the Lord, to commit yourself and your affairs to him, he is the husband of the widow and the father of the fatherless, and he will never leave you nor forsake you.

On May 31, 1567, Guido de Bres, 47 years old, was publicly hanged in the market square of Valenciennes. He was pushed off the scaffold as he exhorted the crowd to be faithful to Scripture and respectful to the magistrates. His body was buried in a shallow grave where it was later dug up and torn apart by wild animals.

I thank God for de Bres’ example of courage and steadfastness. Here is another man “of whom the world was not worthy” (Heb. 11:38). I’m thankful too for the Belgic Confession. And whenever I read this heartwrenching and inspiring letter, I’m thankful he wrote to his wife in prison.